Safety razor



Feb. 5, 1946. .L R. AYOTTE SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 1'7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 5, 1946. V AYOTTE 2,394,422

SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 =2" I wH We 2": Jay/ Z6266 @0 a;

Patented Feb. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE SAFETY RAZOR Joseph Rene Ayotte, Chicago, Ill. 7 Application April 17, 1944, Serial No. 531,460

11 Claims.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a safety razor in which the cutting or shaving blade therein, following its adjustment with relation to the guard plate thereof to the desired nicety, may be disassembled for cleaning, blade removal, etc., and then reassembled for use without disturbing or varying its original adjustment; therefore, assuring to the user the same shaving efi'iciencies as first provided.

More specifically, the invention has for an object to provide a razor of the stated type, wherein, by simple adjustment, the cutting edge or edges of a blade received therein may be bodily and uniformly moved toward or from the skin engaging portion or portions of the same for the aforesaid purpose and then, securely retained in a particularly adjusted position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety razor in which the shaving blade may, if desired, be adjusted to a longitudinally canted or oblique position with relation to the guard plate thereof and then fixedly retained in such a position, whereby to provide a shearing cutting of beard engaged by the blade, as the straightedge ski engaging portion of the uard plate is moved over a users skin in and during a shaving operation.

Moreover, the invention provides for the posi tioning of the safety razor handle at an oblique angle, i. e., less or more than a 90-degree angle, with respect to the ard and clamping plates of the razor, so that when the equipped razor is brought "into contact with and moved over an area to be shaved in the execution of a usual straight-away shaving stroke, the razor guard plate skin engaging portion and the adjusted shaving blade, will be so arranged with relation to the skin as to produce a most desirable shearing cutting or shaving action. v

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and teachings of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the particular form of the invention herein presented is a precise and, what is now considered to be the best mode of embodying its principles, but modification and charges may be made in specific embodiments without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an enlarged side elevation of the improved razor, having the handle thereof fragmentally shown.

Figure 2 is an enlarged end elevation of the razor, with the handle fragmentally shown, wherein the cutting or shaving blade is shown positioned for the shaving of comparatively heavy and tough beards. 1

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section through the improved razor, in which the shaving blade is shown adjusted for cutting or shaving comparatively light or soft beards.

Figure 61 is a similar view in which the cutting or shaving blade is shown adjusted to a position for cutting or shaving heavy and/or tough beards.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 6 is-an enlarged elevational view of the normally inner side of the razor guard plate and the blade adjusting plate received thereby.

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevational view of a type of razor blade particularly adapted for usage in connection with the improved razor.

Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevation of a slightly modified form of my improved razor, having the handle thereof fragmentally shown.

Figure 9 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the modified form of razor, with the handle shown in fragment and partially in elevation, and

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmental end elevation of the modified form of razor, taken at substantially right angles to Figure 8 and with its handle fragmentally shown.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, the invention comprises a guard plate I, a clamping plate 2, a screw stud 3 carried by an intermediate portion of the, normally inner face of the clamping plate, and a handle 4 rovided, in one of its ends, with a co-axially disposed internally screw-threaded pocket adapted to receive and to be turned into engagement with the screw-threaded portion of the stud 3, as shown in the drawings. The guard plate I and the clamping plate 2, as will be noted upon reference to Figures land 2 of theaccompanying drawings, are transversely curved throughout their.

'vide finger screws I2, the shanks of each or which are turnedinto engagement with and through the respective lengths, i. e., the guard plate ,I is

formed with a transversely convexed normally inner face while the clamping face 2 is formed with a transversely concaved normally inner face, the curvature of which substantially corresponds to'that of the convex face of the guard plate I.

A blade,-such as indicated at 5, and hereinafter more fully described, is adapted to be received and retained between the guard plate I and the shaving position with relation theretor The guard plate I is provided along each oi opposite and substantially parallel sides with a skin engaging'bar 6, the outersurfaces of'whiclr previously I described screw-threaded openings tormed in the longitudinally opposite end portions of the bottom of the guard plate pocket].

7 Each of said screws are provided with reduced clamping plate 2 and to be secured in effectual may be and preferably are transversely curved in the manner shown in'Figures l'and'2, to permit its smooth and comfortable engagement: with and passage over that portionfof a persons body' being shaved. The intermediate portion of the guard plate I is inwardly depressed or embossed face. By so depressing said. intermediate portion of the guard plate I; a substantially rectangularly V shaped, longitudinally disposed pocket, indicated This pocket at. I; is formed in the guard plate. 7 extends substantially throughout the :length' of said guard plate, and as abovestate'd, has its opposite sides arranged in inwardly spaced relation to the'adjacent longitudinal sides of the extensions I3, passing through appropriate openings formed in adjacent portions of the blade adjusting plate II and have their, outer ends counter-sunk in the outer-convexed-face of said plate and then u'p-set or'swagedsas at 14.. Hence, 1 it will be seen that the finger screwsl2 will be} rotatably connected to the blade adjusting, plate II and that as they'are turned in certain direc-- tions through their respective screw-threaded openings in the guard plate pocket 1, said adjusting plate II will'be'moved outwardly or away "from the pocket 1. 'However, when said finger V with respect to its transversely convexed outer the improved razor;

guard plate, 1. e., the bars 6 (see Figure 6). Relatively longitudinally spaced screw-threaded openings, the utility of which is hereinafter more fully described, are formed in the longitudinally opposite end portions of 'the'pocket 1,": and an intermediately arranged... opening 8 is also formed therein. The ends of the guard plate I'are ex- 7 tended in thefashion shown in Figure 6 of the drawings and at the point of the greatestlength of said plate, have notches 9 formed therein;

If desired, the guard plate I may have portions ofthe same cut away or removed, as at ID, for facilitating its maintenance in a sanitarycondition and also for lessening itsweight." Of course,

itiwill-be appreciated, that the provision of such cut-away portions I Bis strictly optional.

' the accompanying drawingssaidfingers lfigas V A blade adjusting plate, preferably rectangular in formation, hereinridentified' by the numeral I I, has comparatively snug reception in the pocket I of the guard plate I. Its opposite longitudinal sides lie substantially parallel to the adjacent sides of said pocket, as do the opposite transverse ends thereof. The normally outer side or face of this blade adjusting plate II is transversely curved or conveXed, in the manner clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6 of the accompanying drawings; the degree or character of such transverse curvature being such as to substantially conform to the transverse convexing or curving of the outer face of the guard plate I} Moreover, it should be here noted that the depth or thickness of'th e blade adjusting plate I I substantially corresponds to the depthof thepocket 1 in the guard plate I, which as will be borne in mind, receives the same; also that an opening II is formed in an intermediate medial portion of the adjusting plate II adapted to align with the opening 8 in the bottom of the pocket 1 of the guard plate I in order that the screw stud 3 of the clamping plate 2 may passtherethrough. a

screws are rotated in, the opposite direction, it necessarily follows that the blade adjusting plate II rotatably engagedth'ereby, will bedra'wn inwardly with respectto the guard plate pocket'l. Obviously, the extentofia'djustme'ntor positioning of the outer face'of the guardf plate'f l l with respect to the outer face -of the guard-plate I, through the medium of the adjusting' fin'ger er'bf 7 screws I2, may be varied, as des'ired bya The clamping. plate. 2, adapted to b engaged over the outer. side ofthe guard platefI and the blade adjusting plate II", has right an uiariy and inwardly disposed fingers I5 fiXedly'cai'riedupon its opposite ends, as shown in--Figures-2-and 5- of will be noted, are'in alignment with' the l'ong i tudinal axis of the clamping plate 2,i.;-e.',' intermediately of the opposite longitudinal sides-thereof,'and by reasonof such positioning, will function' to properly position the clamping plate 2 with respect to the guard plate I in that they will snugly engage inthe previously described notches 9 in thecorresponding intermediate portions of the opposite ends of-theguard plate I;

Various forms of 'razor blades may be usedin connection with my'improved razor.- For 'purposes of illustration, I -have'shown'that type-of blade hereinabove indicated bythe numra-lias tact with the. particular'fingers of the clamping In order thatthe blade adjusting plate I I may be moved outwardly or inwardly with respect to itsreceiving pocket I in the guard plate I, I proplate 2, when received therein. As isusualfthe width of the double edged blade 5 is slightly greater than that of the: clamping plate 2, but slightly less than that. of the guard plate/I, whereby to cause. its positioning between the several plates, in the manner shown in" Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. Of' cOurSa-thelength of the blade substantially corresponds'to the overall length of the guard plate I.

In the use of my improved-razor, the cutting or shaving blade 5, is engaged between the guard and clamping'plates Ian'd 2," respectiv'ely; The fingers/I 5 of the clampin'gplate I will be slitlably engaged in the notches 9 of: the guard plate I The ends of said aecei riaz while the screw-threaded stud 3 will pass through the intermediately located opening 8 in the bottom of the pocket I of the guard plate I, whereupon it is engaged in the coaxially disposed internally screw-threaded opening formed in-the adjacent end of the'handle 4. Obviously, by turning the handle I! clockwise with respect to the guard plate I, said plate and the clamping plate 2, with the blade therebetween, will be drawn into engaged or clamp relationship.

When the razor is to be used for cutting or shaving heavy or tough heard, it is desirable that the outing edges of the blade 5 shall be outwardly spaced sufiiciently with respect to the outer face of the guard plate I to permit the free passage of cut hairs by and under the razor blade cutting edges I5. Such spacing of the blade 5 is efiected by clock-wise turning the finger screws I2, causing them to be moved inwardly with respect to the pocket I of the guard plate I and thereby, moving the blade adjusting plate iI outwardly and against the adjacent intermediate portion of the blade 5. The extent "of outward spacing or adjustment of the blade 5, manifestly, may be regulated to the desired nicety by appropriate turning of the several finger screws I2, with respect to the guard plate I- as to maintain the blade adjusting plate II in parallel or substantiall parallel relationship thereto, for obvious reasons. When the desired adjustment of the blade 5 has been effected, the handle 4 is turned into engagement with the screw stud 3, hence, drawing the guard plate I and the clamping plate 2 into firm clamping engagement and so, securely looking or positioning said blade 5 therebetween.

Should it be desired that the improved razor be adjusted for shaving light or soft beards, the handle :3 is preferably rotated counterclockwise with respect to the screw stud 3 to loosen the previously clamped guard and clamping plates I and 2. Thereupon, the finger screws I2 are rotated in counter-clockwise directions to retract the blade adjusting plate I I,to the desired extent, within the pocket I of the guard plate I. When suitable adjustment or positioning of said blade adjusting plate I I has been effected. the handle i is again turned in a clock-wise direction with respect to the screw stud 3, thereby drawing the guard plate I and the clamping plate 2 into clamping relationship with the shaving blade 5 firmly in contact with the transversely convexed outer face of the blade adjusting plate II.

As hereinbefore indicated, various degrees or characters of spacing of the cutting edges I6 of the glade 5, with relation to the guard plate I may be effected, such as conditions or preference may dictate. Moreover, it is to be noted that adjustmentof said cutting edges IS of the blade 5 with relation to the guard plate I, and particularly, the bar portions 6 thereof, is brought about by a bodily movement of the blade 5, due to the engagement of the transversely convexed side of the blade adjusting plate II therewith, under eontrol or regulation of the several finger screws This referred to bodilyadjustment of the blade 5 is of considerable importance as respects the shaving efiiciency of the improved razor. First, it assures proper relative positioning of the cutting edges it of the blade 5 with relation to the bar portions 5 of the guard plate I; second, it assures that positioning of the blade 5 with respect to the guard plate I as will permit the passage ofshaved or removed beard from the particularly engaged cutting ed e I6 under and by the. adjacent p rtio O he blad andthe uard plate I; and third, the more or less flush enggernent of the transversely ,convexed side of the blade adjusting plate II with the adjacent portion of the blade 5 will insure its. firm'and secure retention between the guard plate I and the clamping plate 2.

In the Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified form of my invention, involving the comparatively "loose and rotatable engagement of the shanks I3 of the finger adjusting screws I2 in and with the blade adjusting plate Il as clearly shown in the Figure 9.. Because of this comparatively loose engagement of the screw shanks I3 in the adjusting plate, it will be readily understood that the latter may be angularly adjusted with relation to the guard plate I" of its longitudinally disposed pocket, I; that is, by uneven adjustment, or turning of the finger adjusting screws I 2", in the proper direction, the adjusting plate II may be canted, throughout its length, with relation to the adjacent side or surface of the guard plate 5'. The extent or degree of such canted positioning of the adjusting plate with respect to the guard plate may, of course, be varied or changed, such as conditions, requirements or preference may dictate. With the canted positioning or ad -v justment of the plate IIF, it follows that when the blade 5 is engaged or placed thereupon, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the blade will follow the same, and in consequence, will be correspondingly positioned, i. e., positioned parallel to the clamping plate 2' but canted or at the desired oblique angle with respect to the adjacent side or surface of the guard plate. I.

To secure the blade 5 in fixed or immovable relationship to the guard plate I and the adjacent plate II the clamping plate 2', fixedly carrying a screw stud 3' upon an intermediate portion of its normally inner side, is provided. The opposite ends of this clamping plate are equipped with right angularly and inwardly disposed fingers I5 adapted to be engaged in appropriately formed notches 9 in the adjacent ends of the guard plate I, as described in connection with the preceding embodiment of the invention.

The screw stud 3" of the clamping plate 2, is engageable through an opening I I formed in an intermediate portion of the adjusting plate II, and through a similarly located opening formed in the guard plate I'. It should be noted, however, that the diameter or size of the opening in the guard plate I', indicated for convenience by the reference character l is somewhat larger than the diameter of said screw study 3', in order to provide; angular adjustment of said screw stud therein, especially, at or during those times when the adjusting plate It is adjusted to a canted position, such as hereinbefore explained.

A suitable type of handle 4, provided with an outwardly opening coaxially' disposed screw threaded opening in its normally inner end, is

adapted to be engaged with that portion of the screw stud 3' extended beyond the guard plate I" through its intermediate opening I as'shown in Figure 9. Obviously, by turning the handle 4' into contacting or binding engagement with the adjacent surface of the guard plate I, the screwstud 3 will be drawninwardly with respect to its co-axially disposed screw threaded opening and the clamping plate 2' will be brought into clamping engagement. with the adjacent. side ingly secured upon the adjusting plate I Hagainst displacement with respect to the guard plate I'.

' The handle 4', when connected to the screw-stud 3,'in the manner shown in Figure 9 of the draw- 7 ings, will have its longitudinal axis arranged in that plane indicated by the line A, rather than in the plane indicated by the line B, which, as will be'observed, is at QO-degrees or a true right angle, with respect to the guard plate I.

It is, most generally, conceded and recognized that efficient shaving ,action is secured by moving 'a razorover a bearded or hair growing skin [surface-with its cutting edge at an angle (a shearingangle) to its path of travel. With this character of movement, theblade cutting edge will effect a so-called shearing cut,which imparts but a minimum of pull .to the engaged and cut hair, and in general, makes for considerably 'more comfortable, desirable and non-irritating shaving. 1

Attention is'also invited to the fact that the handle 450i the improved razor, when engaged with the screw stud 3' in the manner above de-' scribed, willbe positioned atan angle oblique to' the guard plate i, that is, at an 'angle' less or more "than 90degree with respect to said guard plate. Consequently upon such oblique positioning of the handle 4', it will be seen that when the same is grasped to move the equippedrazor over an area'to be shaved, a shearing-like, or

oblique force or pull will be imparted to the razor and will accentuate the shearing cutting action of the shavingyblade 5' retained between the guard and clamping plates I! and 2', respectively,

of the razor construction. t

The canted positioning of the shaving'blade creased, as desired, by a user of the razor construction,'merely by turning of the finger adjusting screws [2' to the desired extent. That is to say, one of said finger adjusting screws l2 may be retained in its outermost position with respect to the guard plate |,'as substantially shown in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings, and the remaining finger adjusting screw may be turned inwardly to the full extent of its inward adjustment. Various intermediate or reverse adjustments of the finger adjusting screws 12' maybe effected, as desired or required, in order to eifect positioning of the shaving blade 5' at the particularly desired or required canted positioning with respect to the straight edge skin engaged portion of the guard plate l.

Iclaim:

1. A razor, including two relatively engage: able, parts adapted to receive ab'lade therebetween, the innermost of said parts having a ,pocket therein opening onto an intermediate por- 5', obviously, may be either'increased or de-.

2. A razor, including two relativelyengageable parts adapted to receive a blade therebetween, the innermost of said parts having a pocket therein opening onto an intermediate portion of its outer face and extending substantially throughout its length, a blade adjusting plate received in said pocket movable inwardly or outwardly with respect thereto, means carried by 3 said part engaged with said blade adjusting plate .eachother, z r

;3. I A razor-, including two relatively engageable parts adapted to receive and retain ablade thereof the blade 5. Thus, said blade will be clampiiorimparting-inovement theretm and means en same towards gaging said parts for moving the between, a blade adjusting plate carried by the innermost of said parts movable toward orhaway from one face thereof, screw means engagingsaid last-mentioned part and said blade adjusting plate for imparting movement to the latter, and means engaging said parts for moving the same;

towards each other. e

1 4. A razor, including two relatively engageable V parts adaptedto receive and retain ablade there'- between, the innermost of said parts having a pocket formed therein intermediately of its opposite longitudinal sides and extending substan-n tially throughout its length, a blade'adjusting: plate snugly received in said pocket for move! ment' inwardly orroutwardly with respect to the outerface of said-first-mentioned part, screw means engaged through the bottom of the'pocket-f in said first-mentioned part and with adjacent, portions of said blade adjusting plate for impart-a ing movement thereto, and means engagingsaid e parts for moving the same towards each other.

5, A razor; including two relatively engageablei parts adapted'to receive and retain a blade therebetween, the outer'side of one of said parts being: transversely convex and the inner face of the other of said parts being transversely concave,;; the innermost of said partshaving a longitudi-f nally disposed and intermediately positioned.

pocket formed therein, ablade adjusting plate; 7

movably'received in said pocket having a'transversely ,concaved outer face, 'meansi engaged. 'through'the bottom of said pocket in the'last- 'mentioned part-for causing said adjusting plate to be inwardly or outwardly moved with respect.

thereto, the remaining of said. parts having a] screw stud intermediately of the same engageable through an opening formed intermediately of the first mentioned part, and a handle having a co-axially disposed internally screw-threaded opening infone end thereof engaged withsaid j screw stud for, moving said parts towards each. other. d

6. A razor, including two relatively 'interen- 7 gageable with said parts for moving them towards: 55'

each other.

7. A razor, including a plurality of relatively V engageable parts adapted to receive a blade therebetween, the innermost of said parts having a pocket in and longitudinally of the same, a blade:

' adjusting plate received in saidpocket movablei inwardly and outwardly thereof, means engaged f in said pocket and loosely connected to said ad-- justing plate for transmitting 'motion thereto,

and means engaging said parts for moving'them towards each other.

8. A razor, including a plurality of relatively engageable parts adapted to receive and retain a blade therebetween, the innermost of said parts. having a pocket formed in and, disposed longi-- tudinally of the same, a blade adjusting plate received in said pocket, for movement inwardlyand outwardly with respect to the outer face off said first mentioned part, screw means engaged:

through the bottom of the pocket in said first. mentioned part and loosely engaging portions of said blade adjusting plate, and means engaging said parts for moving them towards each other.

9. A razor, including a guard plate and a clamping plate adapted to receive and retaina blade therebetween, the opposite side portions of the guard plate being transversely curved throughout their respective lengths and the inner side of the clamping plate being transversely curved throughout its length, the intermediate portion of said guard plate having a longitudinally disposed pocket therein opening onto its outer side, a blade adjusting plate movably received in said pocket, individually operable means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for imparting inward or outward movement to said adjusting plate with relation to said pocket, and means engaging said guard and clamping plates for moving the same towards each other.

10. A razor, including a guard plate and a clamping plate adapted to receive and retain a blade therebetween, the outer side of the opposite side portions of the guard plate being transversely curved throughout their respective lengths and the inner side of the clamping plate being transversely curved throughout its length, the intermediate portion of said guard plate having a longitudinally disposed pocket therein opening onto its outer side, a blade adjusting plate having a transversely concaved outer face movably received in said pocket, individually operable means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for imparting inward or outward movement to said adjusting plate with relation to said pocket, a screw stud carried intermediately of the inner side of said clamping plate engageable through an opening formed intermediately of the guard plate, and a handle having a co-axially disposed internally screw threaded opening in one end thereof receiving said screw stud for moving said guard and clamping plates towards each other.

11. A razor, including a guard plate and a clamping plate adapted to receive and retain a blade therebetween, the outer faces of the opposite side portions of the guard plate being transversely curved throughout their respective lengths and the inner side of the clamping plate being transversely curved throughout its length, the intermediate portion of said guard plate having a longitudinally disposed pocket therein opening onto its outer side, a blade adjusting plate movably received in said pocket having its opposite sides arranged substantially parallel to the opposite sides of said guard plate, individually operable means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for imparting inward or outward movement to said adjusting plate with relation to said pocket, and means engaging said guard plate and clamping plate for moving the same towards each other.

JOSEPH RENE AYOTIE. 

